Ok, I am not a fan of President Obama’s policies or tactics, but this is a very nice story.

I think it speaks well of the President that there wasn’t Press pool coverage of this meeting.  It appears to have been a sincere presentation of well wishes from the President to an icon of faith.  I am pleased that they met and prayed together.

Despite my disagreement with the President on multiple issues, I pray for him and wish him well.  I pray that his advisers give him good advice.  I pray that his faith grows and that he leads this nation in a righteous manner.  I pray that he makes godly decisions that reflect his professed faith in Jesus Christ. 

So, for just a moment, the cynicism is cast aside and hope takes its place.  Perhaps the President will have a change of heart.  Perhaps the Lord will use this time to do great things.  May God bless you and lead you into the right paths Mr. President.

A nice story?  Not really.
Mr. Obama and Dr. Graham together are a total contradiction in persons, identity, and faith.  In no way are these two persons comparable.  For Billy Graham this was an opporunity for prayer and intercession and respect for our nation in his own home.  For Obama, just another drop in photo op to exploit and publish in his continuing compaign to reduce the United States to just another little entity.
Was Obama invited, or did he just arrive in his majesty and force?
What, exactly did this side trip down into North Carolina, while
Mr. Obama was supposed to be up in West Virginia exuding unwelcome compassion, warmth, deep, and concern, and
flashing smiles, cost the tax payers of the United States? 
In the end, what is Mr. Obama’s faith and what is his goal?

Who can say how sincere it was or wasn’t?  I’m probably a bit more skeptical than #1, but I’m still glad the visit took place, and that Franklin Graham was there too.  At least the President took the trouble to travel to Billy’s remote home in the NC mountains, since the great evangelist, crippled by Parkinson’s as well as age, is no longer able to travel much.

Bill Clinton supposedly looked to Tony Campolo and bill Hybels for spiritual guidance at times, rather than Graham, and George W. Bush reportedly turned more to Rick Warren.  I think that Warren, not Billy’s son Franklin, will turn out to be the true successor to the inimitable, one and only Billy Graham.  Having let Warren pray at his inauguration, I hope that Obama will actually let the new guy acclaimed as “America’s Pastor” take the place that Billy once had in our culture.  But I doubt that anyone will ever do that.  Billy is unique, and we’ve now entered a post-Christendom era when Christianity is pretty much banished from the public square and disfavored rather than favored.

But as the title of a fine biography of Graham shows (Prophet with Honor), Billy’s life demonstrates that sometimes, a prophet can gain honor in his homeland, despite the Master’s ironic comment on the usual fate of prophets.

David Handy+

#2, Robert Dedmon, Obama was in Asheville on vacation with his wife.  Graham’s home in Montreat is just a short drive away.

#3

I completely understand the skepticism.  It is a deliberate act of will on my part, in an attempt at Christian charity, to make the choice not to be skeptical.

If evidence to the contrary emerges, I will be sad, but not surprised.  I do earnestly and honestly hope that this is not just a photo op.

Yes, I will try to be more charitable and less reactive.  I suppose it’s just that after the last few years I have totally lost faith and trust in professional politicians.

It’s probably wisest to trust the two people involved rather than ascribe motives.  The alternative says more about who we are then about The Rev. Graham or President Obama.

However, I do think they are two very different people.  Perhaps the simple fact that they could engage each other says something interesting about their magnanimity, a virtue in short supply. 

Robert, perhaps we should be thankful that President Obama is reaching out to Mr. Graham.